kysymyshuutomerkki

Kysymyshuutomerkki is a Finnish term that translates directly to "question mark exclamation point." It refers to the punctuation mark combining a question mark (?) and an exclamation point (!). This punctuation is used to express both a question and strong emotion, such as surprise, disbelief, anger, or excitement, simultaneously. It is an interrobang, a less common punctuation mark used in English and other languages for the same purpose.

The kysymyshuutomerkki conveys a sense of bewildered astonishment or a rhetorical question delivered with great emphasis. For example, it might be used in a sentence like "You did WHAT?!" or "He's really leaving?!" This punctuation mark is not as formally recognized in standard Finnish grammar as the individual question mark and exclamation point, but it is understood and sometimes used in informal writing, online communication, and creative contexts to add nuance and intensity to written expression. Its usage is largely stylistic, aiming to capture a specific tone that a single punctuation mark cannot fully convey.